Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Where Do I Start

Dan T

Recommended Posts

Dan T Newbie
Dan T
Posted

I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
Link
Posted
If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
Link
Posted
I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

Link Rookie
Link
Posted

Dan:

Enterolab (www.enterolab.com) offers a variety of tests, including a stool test, to identify gluten sensitivity. It also provides genetic testing. All tests are at a reasonable cost and may be

ordered without a doctor's order.

These stool tests are highly sensitive and will tell you if you are gluten intolerant and even if you are genetically predisposed to celiac disease. It is well worth checking out this web site...it is a wealth of information. Also, the stool test is not an invasive test and it is definitive. I just ordered the kit for myself to determine once and for all if I have Celiac Disease and if I carry the genes so I can enlighten my adult kids. Also, you don't have to start back on gluten to have the test done.

Also, The Gluten Connection by Shari Liberman is an excellent book to get you started on the gluten journey. Highly informative...this is where I found out about the lab in TX. Hang in there. I am still battling the symptoms of gluten intolerence after being gluten free for 5 1/2 weeks. I am determined to beat this ordeal. Don't give up...stay gluten free...what do you have to lose?

Evie4 Apprentice
Evie4
Posted

Dan, constipation was my main motivation to go gluten free. I'm in my late 40s and it was becoming progressively worse. I went mostly gluten free and found that two days in a row of consuming gluten constipated me. Then it was a single day of consumption and I couldn't go for a couple days. Things were going really well after completely stopping gluten and then I found out if I eat legumes a couple days in a row or if I eat too many gluten free starchy things like muffins, cookies, pretzels etc. I start having problems.

I've been suffering from IBS for about 16+ years now. I tried all the traditional recommendations. Fiber was a disaster, no amount water or exercise worked. I have pretty much always eaten well balanced meals with daily fruit and vegetables. My husband has no problem with our diet.

I don't know if I have celiac disease. I do have genes, symptoms and test results that point to it. So I'm gluten free and life is better. Not perfect, but better!

So...you could try eating less starch and no gluten and see if that helps. In my case, the amount of gluten you have been eating would be too much for me to not be constipated.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. MogwaiStripe
      - MogwaiStripe posted a topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      0

      Dermatitis Herpetiformis Cleared up With EpiPen, etc.

      I had to rush to the hospital last week due to anaphylactic shock from taking a dose of an antibiotic. Received EpiPen, steroids, antihistamines, zofran (all injected/IV). When I woke up the next day, ALL of the rashes I've had that started since going gluten free were cleared up. EVEN THE dermatitis herpetiformis was gone. Has anyone else experienced this...
    2. Dr. Gunn
      - Dr. Gunn replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      Exactly! Negative genetics can rule out celiac disease with close to 100% certainty. It takes tTg antibody testing and biopsy confirm the diagnosis in a genetically susceptible individual.
    3. trents
      - trents replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      What Dr. Gunn states is essentially true. It is a rule out measure. But be aware that to possess either of the two primary genes that have been identified with celiac disease (or both) doesn't necessarily mean that you have or will develop celiac disease. Almost 40% of the general population carries one or both but only about 1% of the general population...
    4. Dr. Gunn
      - Dr. Gunn replied to MicG's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Test interpretations

      Have you had celiac genetic risk testing? A celiac genetic test is accurate with or without gluten in your diet. If you don't carry the celiac risk genes you can effectively rule out celiac disease for life.
    5. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia commented on Scott Adams's article in Spring 2026 Issue
      1

      How Social Media Algorithms Are Fueling Gluten Anxiety: TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram Trends

      Good, balanced analysis. I liked the comparison of the different platforms in this context. Fwiw, the same essay largely would work if you substitute any of many contemporary topics. As a moderator of this site, have you stepped back and considered how this site fits into this essay? Personally, I don't think I have enough visibility into the comments...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,661
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Penny W
    Newest Member
    Penny W
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • MogwaiStripe
      Dermatitis Herpetiformis Cleared up With EpiPen, etc.

      By MogwaiStripe · Posted

      I had to rush to the hospital last week due to anaphylactic shock from taking a dose of an antibiotic. Received EpiPen, steroids, antihistamines, zofran (all injected/IV). When I woke up the next day, ALL of the rashes I've had that started since going gluten free were cleared up. EVEN THE dermatitis herpetiformis was gone. Has anyone else experienced this or happen to know why that would happen? The meds they gave me were all meds that I've taken to try to resolve the rashes, but they never worked in pill form. I'm wondering if it the addition of the epi that helped, it if injected steroids and antihistamines were what did the job.
    • Dr. Gunn
      Test interpretations

      By Dr. Gunn · Posted

      Exactly! Negative genetics can rule out celiac disease with close to 100% certainty. It takes tTg antibody testing and biopsy confirm the diagnosis in a genetically susceptible individual. 
    • trents
      Test interpretations

      By trents · Posted

      What Dr. Gunn states is essentially true. It is a rule out measure. But be aware that to possess either of the two primary genes that have been identified with celiac disease (or both) doesn't necessarily mean that you have or will develop celiac disease. Almost 40% of the general population carries one or both but only about 1% of the general population will develop active celiac disease. It remains latent until triggered by some stress event which may or may not occur. So, there is a genetic component to celiac disease but there is also an epigenetic component. 
    • Dr. Gunn
      Test interpretations

      By Dr. Gunn · Posted

      Have you had celiac genetic risk testing? A celiac genetic test is accurate with or without gluten in your diet. If you don't carry the celiac risk genes you can effectively rule out celiac disease for life. 
    • Scott Adams
      Test interpretations

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on those results alone, it’s not possible to say you have celiac disease. The test that is usually most specific for celiac, tTG-IgA, is negative in your results, and the endomysial antibody (EMA) is also negative, which generally argues against active celiac disease. However, your deamidated gliadin IgA is elevated, and your total IgA level is also high, which can sometimes affect how the other antibody tests behave. Another important factor is that you were reducing gluten before the test, which can lower antibody levels and make the results less reliable. Because of that, many doctors recommend a gluten challenge (eating gluten regularly for several weeks) before repeating blood tests or considering an endoscopy if symptoms and labs raise concern. It would be best to review these results with a gastroenterologist, who can interpret them in context and decide whether further testing is needed.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.